Subs:Jenkins for McLaggon after about 58 minutesRichards for Traylor after about 80 minutesWatkins for Reffell after about 92 minutesJonesGarner

The squad was unchanged from Saturday except for Eliot Richards on the bench instead of Gavin Williams.

There was some early pressure from Chippenham, but we had the first chance after about 4 minutes when Ian Traylor found himself with the ball on the right of the area but he sent his shot wide of the far post. We then took the lead about 2 minutes later due to some good running by Keyon Reffell to get to the far side of the area on the right. He then put over a cross towards the far post for Ryan Prosser to head a simple goal.

Chippenham came close after about 9 minutes when we had to clear the ball off the line following a long throw after Oliver Davies had punched the ball straight up in the air. A couple of minutes later at the other end Adam Davies on the right played the ball in to Kayne McLaggon who set up Ryan Prosser on the left of the area, but he put his shot over the bar.

With about 28 minutes gone we made it 2-0 with a ball from the right reaching Ryan Prosser on the edge of the area. He held it up well, and then Jarrad Wright showed some persistence to set up Prosser who put his shot under the keeper from 10 yards.

Prosser was close again after about 31 minutes when a long ball from the right was headed down for him to have a shot blocked at close range.

2-0 at half time was a fair scoreline as we’d had several half chances without quite being able to make them count. The closest Chippenham had come to scoring was with the clearance off the line, with Oliver Davies having little to do as we’d contained them well in defence. It was noticeable our wide men had been as evident as usual, with most attacks seeming to go through Keyon Reffell and Ryan Prosser.

We made a good start to the second half with, in the 46th minute, Ian Traylor sending over a cross from the right to the far post, but Ryan Prosser could only just get a header in, although forcing a save from the keeper. Then a minute later Prosser ran through on the right and tried to lob the keeper but put the ball well over the bar.

This was to prove costly as on about 48 minutes what seemed to be a defensive mix-up, with Oliver Davies well out of his goal being stranded as the ball went past him for Andy Sandell to put in an empty net.

Not surprisingly Chippenham were fired up then and had their best spell of the game as we couldn’t get hold of the ball.

After about 58 minutes Corey Jenkins replaced Kayne McLaggon, who I wondered was maybe carrying an injury from Saturday.

After Chippenham’s spell on top we then came back at them, applying pressure with a series of free kicks and corners, but although we came close more than once a goal wouldn’t come.

After about 72 minutes Scott Barrow broke forward and fired in a stinging shot which the keeper did well to touch over the bar.

We were looking good value for at least holding on for the win, but after about 77 minutes a long ball forward into the area saw Curtis McDonald penalised for pushing an attacker. Oliver Davies got close to Sandell’s penalty but not close enough and against the run of play Chippenham had got the equaliser. Worse was to come a minute later when Curtis McDonald was sent off, presumably for swearing at the linesman who may have indicated the penalty.

Surprisingly, Chippenham then seemed happy to settle for a point, showing little urgency against the 10 men. There was only one moment of danger, when a long free kick into the box was cleared away for a corner, but otherwise we looked the more composed side for the remaining minutes. With a couple of minutes of added time gone Ben Watkins came on for Keyon Reffell, maybe as a time-wasting substitution.

Well, considering we were the better side for most of the game it’s disappointing not to have won, and more or less handed Chippenham the draw, first with what appeared to be a silly goal (although I didn’t see exactly what happened) and then a penalty. But at least we didn’t fold up and lose the game when down to 10 men. Chippenham will consider themselves fortunate to have gone away with a point which they scarcely deserved. But at least it keeps the unbeaten home run going. The turning point was probably not making it 3-0 just before allowing Chippenham back into the game.

I made Ryan Prosser man of the match for his general play as well as the goals. Keyon Reffell was a handful for Chippenham in the first half but less so after the break. Curtis McDonald had done well until the penalty (how justified it was, I couldn’t tell from 100 yards away).

Now over to Boz who should have some scope with one or two of the names in the Chippenham side.

Last edited by Merthyr Imp on Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:24 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Extra bit.)

Just what happens to the team in the second half of most games is annoying,after controlling the game with good football and really making Chippenham look very ordinary and then bang two points lost.m.o.m.for me Adam Davies.